Mark Kopps, a member of Local 1605 and a Washington County resident, told commissioners on Jan. 14 that career fire and EMS personnel face a nearly one‑third attrition rate and urged caution before reducing property taxes or other actions that could worsen public‑safety staffing.

"This is not sustainable," Kopps said, urging the board to wait for a full evaluation from the director of emergency services before moving forward on potential tax cuts. He said the county invests heavily in training staff who then leave for better pay elsewhere.

Casey McKnight, speaking as a representative of Washington County Division of Emergency Services, addressed common public misconceptions about emergency responders' schedules and work. He said staff are on duty for entire 24‑ or 48‑hour shifts and that brief rest periods are used to recharge between unpredictable calls. McKnight underscored that many responders hold part‑time work outside their department to support families and that competitive pay is necessary for retention.

Separately, David Hayes, director of emergency services, presented the county's required distribution of FY2025 Senator William H. Amos Fire Rescue and Ambulance Fund. The county received $337,358 for FY2025 and commissioners approved a recommended allocation. Under the division's recommendation approved by the board, the City of Hagerstown will receive $77,858 to distribute to six city volunteer companies; each volunteer fire and rescue company outside the city will receive $12,975. Hayes said the county does not withhold the small administrative allowance and distributes the full amount to local companies. The motion carried by voice vote.

Speakers in the public comment period included a range of firefighters and residents. One speaker, identified in the record as a resident, made sharp, profane criticisms of county pay decisions and singled out a county economic development official's pay as unfair; that speaker's remarks were not a formal complaint the county acted on during the meeting.

The board approved the Senator Amos fund notifications and allocation to volunteer companies; no change to county tax policy was decided. Emergency services leaders asked commissioners to weigh workforce and retention analyses before considering tax reductions or other budgetary shifts that could affect staffing.